GDT: Leafs @ Vegas - 10 pm - TSN

[ACC1224]

Right back at it with a tougher test tonight.

Jones gets the net, Rielly is back, win streak on the line.

Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Vegas Golden Knights | 2024-02-22 | TSN

Follow the NHL event featuring Vegas Golden Knights vs. Toronto Maple Leafs scheduled on the 2024-02-22

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[Darcy Tucker]

Matthews has jumped into a tie for 5th in overall scoring. Nylander just behind him. Great to see because they were way down the list a month ago.




Vegas has been losing lately hope we can keep the winning streak going. Should be a good one.

 

[Fogelhund]

Interesting.. we are tied in points with them right now. They are 5-4-1 in their last ten, losing three of their last four, we are 8-2, winning 5 in a row. However, Vegas is the type of big physical team that we often have problems with, so we are really going to have to bring a full effort, for the full game tonight.

 

[DraftSchmaft]

Nylander in the top 10 is such a great sight.

And we all know his points aren't fluff points either. He lives up to his nickname Styles.

 

[stickty111]

The D pairings today will really show if Keefe is starting to evolve. You can't touch the 2 pairs. Rielly with Rifai might be the play until you get an upgrade. If he puts Rielly back with Brodie, it's same old Keefe.

 

[dangomon]

Interesting.. we are tied in points with them right now. They are 5-4-1 in their last ten, losing three of their last four, we are 8-2, winning 5 in a row. However, Vegas is the type of big physical team that we often have problems with, so we are really going to have to bring a full effort, for the full game tonight.

I truly don't want this to come off as a jab, but is there any concrete evidence from recent seasons that the Leafs actually struggle against big, physical teams? Aside from the typical "Leafs are too soft" tropes, I really don't see it.

They've made a mockery of the West so far this year, which its typically the 'big/heavy' conference (25-5-2)

 

[DragoGrizzly]

Holy cow Vegas has a bunch of tough injuries right now (Eichel, Stone, Carrier, Dorofeyev). I think they may play with 11 forwards. They’ve been stumbling a bit lately too because of these injuries and the goaltending has cooled down a bit. Really got to take advantage of that.

 

[TheGreenTBer]

All I ask from the Golden Knights is to eliminate the Oilers in the playoffs.

 

[Ianturnedbull]

The D pairings today will really show if Keefe is starting to evolve. You can't touch the 2 pairs. Rielly with Rifai might be the play until you get an upgrade. If he puts Rielly back with Brodie, it's same old Keefe.

I can almost guarantee that he is the same Keefe that you know and love...

 

[Nineteen67]

All I ask from the Golden Knights is to eliminate the Oilers in the playoffs.

And anyone that wishes can take out Winnipeg and Vancouver. Three Western Canadian teams in the playoffs is awful.

 

[Havoc]

Everything is going as planned.

Leafs are built to withstand the long grind better than most teams and their previous forms. Bertuzzi and Domi for example are still fresh because the core does the major carrying of the team and both are still in their prime. McMann is still at like 99% HP points which is allowing him to stand out against other teams bottom 6es at this point in the season. Knies' went through a stamina learning curve. Really struggled for a stretch there. However his lungs seemed to have finally adapted.


Not going to be a popular opinion but we're just missing a more truculent hustler for Jarnkrok. He's a weak link imo, especially with Nylander Pking now. I prefer Nylander on the PK over him. Nylander is smarter and a scoring threat. Jarnkrok is a poor mans Kerfoot.

 

[Suntouchable13]

Everything is going as planned.

Leafs are built to withstand the long grind better than most teams and their previous forms. Bertuzzi and Domi for example are still fresh because the core does the major carrying of the team and both are still in their prime. McMann is still at like 99% HP points which is allowing him to stand out against other teams bottom 6es at this point in the season. Knies' went through a stamina learning curve. Really struggled for a stretch there. However his lungs seemed to have finally adapted.


Not going to be a popular opinion but we're just missing a more truculent hustler for Jarnkrok. He's a weak link imo, especially with Nylander Pking now. I prefer Nylander on the PK over him. Nylander is smarter and a scoring threat. Jarnkrok is a poor mans Kerfoot.

What? Kerfoot is so bland. I’d take Jarn over Kerfoot any day. A poor man’s Kerfoot is an awful player, and Jarnkrok is pretty decent.

 

[Fogelhund]

I truly don't want this to come off as a jab, but is there any concrete evidence from recent seasons that the Leafs actually struggle against big, physical teams? Aside from the typical "Leafs are too soft" tropes, I really don't see it.

They've made a mockery of the West so far this year, which its typically the 'big/heavy' conference (25-5-2)

Just using hits... against teams in the top 10 in hits in the league this year.... we are 9-6-3, 21 points in 18 games. Against the rest of the league 22-10-5, 49 points in 37 games. So, our record is indeed better against less physical teams... also you look at our playoff exits...

 

[ER89]

What? Kerfoot is so bland. I’d take Jarn over Kerfoot any day. A poor man’s Kerfoot is an awful player, and Jarnkrok is pretty decent.

Exactly.

The real weak link is Kampf and his overpaid salary

 

[dangomon]

Just using hits... against teams in the top 10 in hits in the league this year.... we are 9-6-3, 21 points in 18 games. Against the rest of the league 22-10-5, 49 points in 37 games. So, our record is indeed better against less physical teams... also you look at our playoff exits...

But we're 5 hits away from being top 5 in the league (6th, just behind Van), so if we're using hits alone we are one of the biggest, most physical teams in the league.

(I say this as someone who hates the hit stat, and really any stat that is counted in-arena)

 

[Fogelhund]

But we're 5 hits away from being top 5 in the league (6th, just behind Van), so if we're using hits alone we are one of the biggest, most physical teams in the league.

(I say this as someone who hates the hit stat, and really any stat that is counted in-arena)

I appreciate that we are near the top... and hit stats are problematic... yet, there isn't an easy way to do it otherwise.... and I do think we know that we have struggled in the playoffs particularly when the game gets heavy and more physical... I mean look at the record there.

 

[dangomon]

I appreciate that we are near the top... and hit stats are problematic... yet, there isn't an easy way to do it otherwise.... and I do think we know that we have struggled in the playoffs particularly when the game gets heavy and more physical... I mean look at the record there.

Can't argue with struggling in the playoffs, but I just don't know if I buy it's because we struggle with the physicality.

I quick look at our PP turning into a pile of poo when It matters remains, to me, the biggest factor in why we stink.

 

[Aashir Mallik]

Might need a mid day nap to get through the entirety of this game

Shouldn’t have stayed up and watched the oilers choke to the bruins yesterday

 

[Smif]

I want to see more of the Bertuzzi, Domi, Nylander line, pls!

 

[Hoglund4MvP]

Marner looks amazing.

Last year needed maintenance days at the end of season. Looks like he's going into the playoffs with full tank this year. Managed himself well.

 

[BayStBullies]

Rielly is back, so Vegas will get plenty of free opportunities. This is probably a loss.

 

[Fogelhund]

Just looking at the scoreboard... currently in points percentage in the league...

1. Florida
2. Boston
4. NYR

No matter where we finish, assuming we make the playoffs, we will be once again playing one of the top four teams in the league... assuming the season finished now.

 

[Seath The Scaleless]

Vegas is struggling with a depleted lineup. Leafs have a schedule disadvantage, but they continue to be elite on the road. Only the Bruins (5) have fewer road regulation losses than the Leafs (6)

I'm confident they can get it to OT at least

 

[Darcy Tucker]

Papi is a bad man.

 

[Evilhomer]

Everything is going as planned.

Leafs are built to withstand the long grind better than most teams and their previous forms. Bertuzzi and Domi for example are still fresh because the core does the major carrying of the team and both are still in their prime. McMann is still at like 99% HP points which is allowing him to stand out against other teams bottom 6es at this point in the season. Knies' went through a stamina learning curve. Really struggled for a stretch there. However his lungs seemed to have finally adapted.


Not going to be a popular opinion but we're just missing a more truculent hustler for Jarnkrok. He's a weak link imo, especially with Nylander Pking now. I prefer Nylander on the PK over him. Nylander is smarter and a scoring threat. Jarnkrok is a poor mans Kerfoot.

Nylander on the penalty kill is a massive upgrade over Jarnkrok.

As for this game, I think the combination of the way the Leafs are playing and Vegas' injuries will be too much for the Golden Knights. I also think Vegas is probably not putting max effort into regular season games at this point as I'm sure they know that they are better off keeping as fresh as possible until the playoffs.